ATHLETICS
FWCD Names New Football Coach Keith Burns is FWCD’s new varsity Head Football Coach and Program Director. He began in this role on May 1. Following a nationwide search, Burns was one of three semifinalists chosen to be interviewed on campus. His impressive resume –– consisting of more than 30 years of experience coaching at esteemed colleges and universities, in the NFL, and at the high school level –– led to Burns’ selection. He comes to FWCD from the University of Texas at El Paso, where he has been serving as Senior Director of Recruiting and Player Personnel and Secondary/Safeties Coach. “Keith’s range and depth of coaching experience and his enthusiasm for working with young athletes are the factors that set him apart,” said FWCD’s new Athletic Director Leigh Block. “He connects with parents, colleagues and players in meaningful ways, and will build on FWCD’s past athletic success stories while taking our football program to an even higher level.” A graduate of L.D. Bell High School, Burns played at the University of Arkansas under head coach Lou Holtz and earned a BS in Physical Education. Some of Coach Burns’s coaching accolades include being named a three-time “Coach of the Week” while at Archbishop Mitty High School, an
award given by the San Francisco 49ers. As Special Teams Coach for the Oakland Raiders, he led his players to set a franchise record for blocked punts, and their special teams were ranked 10th out of 32 NFL teams. In his college coaching days, Burns was a finalist for the Broyles Award, which annually honors college football’s top assistant coach. While his college career allowed him to coach numerous future professional players, Burns shared that the highlight of his career thus far has been coaching at Archbishop Mitty High School in San Jose, California. “We went to the Northern California State Playoffs all four years and the finals twice. It was the most fulfilling job I have had thus far,” Burns said. “The purity of high school football is what makes it so special. There is no better feeling than riding the school bus after a victory or helping to ease the pain of a defeat. These life lessons are what help shape a young man, and I consider it a privilege to influence and impact their life.” Head of School Eric Lombardi said, “All of our athletic staff are true experts in their sport and devoted to educating and role modeling for students. Coach Burns knows he is inheriting a program with a record of significant success, including three Southwest Preparatory Conference 3A championships within the past five years. That Coach Burns rose to the top of our candidate pool means Falcon Nation has much to be excited about.”
Four FWCD Athletes Commit to Play in College In April, FWCD and the Athletics Department recognized four senior student-athletes who have committed to taking their sports to the next level. Laney Bagwell will be a member of the women’s crew team at Colby College. Henry Lynn will be running cross country and participating in track and field at the University of Chicago. Reese Nelson will be swimming for Washington and Lee University. Ileana Rodriguez will play field hockey at Haverford College. Congratulations to these student-athletes as they compete at the next level.
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